Misty Copeland plays a Ballerina Princess in Disney’s Nutcracker and the Four Realms…

Copeland made history as the first African American woman to be promoted to principal dancer at the American Ballet Theatre, one of the top ballet companies in America. With ballet often being associated as an upper elite pastime dominated and controlled by white people it has taken people like Copeland and of course the infamous Alvin Ailey dance school for example, to break down ballet’s exclusive walls.

Copeland has often spoken of the importance of her taking the role in Disney’s latest children’s film. Growing up under the awe and wonder of Disney, black and other non-white children often have to imagine that bit harder to see themselves in the many fantasy tales which make it to the big screen. Though Copeland’s role in The Nutcracker and the Four Realms is for a short scene we get to see, significantly, a beautiful black woman dominating the screen executing to perfection her ballet skills.

TBB Talks spoke to Copeland to talk about the importance of ballet and this role…

The Nutcracker and the Four Realms

Director(s): Lasse Hallström | Joe Johnston

Screenwriter(s): Ashleigh Powell

Cast: Jayden Fowora-Knight, Morgan Freeman, Meera Syal, Omid Djalili, Mackenzie Foy, Richard E. Grant, Kiera Knightley, Helen Mirren

UK release date: Friday 2nd November 2018